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September 5, 2013

Review: Jimi Hendrix-The Jimi Hendrix Experience Box Set (Reissue)

The
legacy of Jimi Hendrix continues to grow and gain momentum with a
continuous flow of reissues and unreleased material. The “Purple Box”
was released in 2000 and it introduced all previously unreleased tracks.
It came with a purple felt cover and started the chain of events that
unfolded with officially archived Hendrix music that continues today
through his remaining family members and Sony Legacy. It also jump
started my interest again in his music. I have not listened to the box
set in years and this newly released version gave me the perfect
opportunity to revisit the music with some additional tracks added. This
version does not come with a purple felt cover but it does present some
great music and additional gems.

The new edition of The Jimi Hendrix Experience includes all the alternate versions of the classics you
have come to know and love like "Purple Haze," "Foxey Lady," “Bold As
Love” and "Little Wing" and some incredibly powerful unheard music such
as "It's Too Bad" and "Country Blues," which was on the original 2000
box. The large 80 page color booklet with pictures and information about
the tracks is included again as well. Additionally new tracks that were
previously unreleased such as a rousing performance of Bob Dylan’s
“Like A Rolling Stone” from the October 1968 performances at Winterland in San Francisco and
the original recording of “Peace In Mississippi” from the October 1968
sessions at TTG Studios, previously available only as the B-Side of the
2010 “Valleys Of Neptune” single is a great addition to the set. To
sweeten the pie, a recently discovered 1967 performance of “Burning Of
The Midnight Lamp” and the original UK single mix of "The Stars That
Play With Laughing Sam's Dice," makes its debut appearance on the set.

So is it worth it to drop
another 42 bucks for this new edition of the box? That depends on your
outlook, if you already have the original box or are simply a Hendrix
freak and or are a completest, it is worth consideration. I know this
may sound like I should be on psych meds but I qualify as all of the
above. Here is my reasoning…if you already have the original box set
give it to a loved one that is fan (which I did) and you absolutely need
to hear these additional tracks if you are a real music fan or Hendrix
nut. It totally works for me and always does.

Hearing all the versions of
these Hendrix classics once again shed more new light on the man’s
talent. The alternate and live versions are stunning and once again you
have the opportunity to explore the sheer talent and virtuosity of this
legendary guitar god. It is mind blowing to think that he was either
always in the studio with the tape rolling or performing live. That is
the reason we have this continuous flow of material being released for
the first time, repackaged or re-released. I find it all so enjoyable
and always get so excited to hear another release will be coming out
because I know there will be something new to hear even if I have
already heard the same track a hundred times. Hendrix was the kind of
forward thinking artist that had the ability to improvise in such a way
that each time you heard him play one of his songs it sounded different.
It is his pioneering musical abilities that paved the way for eclectic
live modern performers such as The Dave Matthews Band and Phish. If you
listen to those groups you will hear his influence and spirit is still
alive and well. You will also likely hear them playing one of his songs
on a live release or taking a part of a song and folding into one of
their own (and what rock act hasn’t done that?). The influence of
Hendrix is everywhere and it will continue as long as people are making
music. Choosing 3 key tracks in a set like this is off the charts
difficult and it would not be a fair assessment of the music so I will
go with “ALL” as my choice.

The Jimi Hendrix
Experience is solid proof of the worldly influence and his musical
genius just as all the other releases that have come out since his
passing. Get this box set, you will not be disappointed.